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As the birthplace of Western civilisation, Greece is a fascinating destination if you’re interested in history and culture. Across the mainland and the Greek islands, archaeological sites offer insight into the country’s ancient heritage. They sit alongside working towns, harbours, mountain landscapes, and varied coastlines, so there is plenty to enjoy if you are equally drawn to scenery and discovering new places.
Our escorted tours of Greece are the best way to experience everything this amazing country has to offer, with carefully curated itineraries and expert support throughout.
Our Exploring Crete, Chania and the White Mountains holiday focuses on western Crete’s history, landscapes, and local flavours. Our guided Istanbul to Athens – Turkish Delights and Greek Treasures tour includes time in Greece as part of a wider journey through the eastern Mediterranean.
However you imagine your Greek adventure, there’s a perfect Travelsphere escorted tour to Greece for you.
Experience the contrasts of Greece as you discover the ancient city of Athens, island hop in style through the Aegean and then relax on the Peloponnese peninsula.
The best tours in Greece depend on the type of holiday you’re looking for.
For a well-balanced stay focused on history, landscapes and local character, Exploring Crete – Chania & the White Mountains is a great choice. If you’d like to combine two fascinating destinations in one longer cultural journey, Istanbul to Athens – Turkish Delights and Greek Treasures includes time in both Türkiye and Greece.
Greece can be visited for much of the year, and the best time to go depends on your itinerary and preferred weather.
Spring and autumn are often ideal for sightseeing, with milder temperatures and comfortable conditions for exploring. Summer is usually hotter and busier, especially in Athens and on the islands, making it a popular time for coastal and island holidays. If you’re planning a guided tour of Greece, it’s always worth checking your chosen tour’s departure dates and itinerary for the most relevant seasonal guidance.
Greece has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and generally milder conditions in spring and autumn. Weather can vary between the mainland, the islands, and mountainous areas, so it’s a good idea to check the forecast closer to departure. In summer, temperatures can be particularly high in Athens and inland regions.
Greek cuisine is simple, fresh and full of flavour, with an emphasis on seasonal produce, olive oil, herbs and charcoal-grilled dishes. Alongside traditional cooking, cities such as Athens and islands like Santorini and Mykonos also offer more modern styles of Greek cooking.
For an informal snack, try an ouzeri, where you can join locals for small platters of savoury appetisers and a glass or two of aniseed-flavoured ouzo. Or, you could visit a mezedopolio to feast on a selection of mezes (similar to Spanish tapas). For a more substantial meal, a taverna serves generous portions of classic dishes in a relaxed setting, while a psarotaverna specialises in fish and seafood.
Popular Greek dishes include:
Dolmades – Stuffed vine leaves
Gemista – Tomatoes, peppers and courgettes, stuffed with rice and oven-baked
Gigantes – Large butter beans baked in a rich tomato sauce with olive oil
Moussaka – An aubergine casserole with minced lamb, cinnamon, red wine, and olive oil
Calamari – Deep-fried rings of squid or octopus
Souvlaki – Skewers of spit-roasted meats, typically pork or chicken, seasoned with herbs and served in flatbreads with salad
Stifado – A rich beef stew with caramelised onions, cinnamon, and cloves
Kokkinisto – A rich stew of either beef, pork or chicken cooked with red wine and tomatoes
Horiatiki – A salad of feta cheese, tomato, cucumber, green peppers, black Kalamata olives, fresh olive oil, and herbs
Coffee culture is also an important part of daily life in Greece, from traditional Greek coffee to iced frappés enjoyed slowly in cafés.
You may also come across classic Greek alcoholic drinks such as krasi (wine, lefko for white and kokkino for red), pine-scented retsina, aniseed ouzo diluted with water, and raki, a fiery grape spirit.
For escorted tours of Greece, lightweight clothing such as cotton or linen is ideal in the warmer months, along with sun protection including a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. A light sweater or cover-up can be useful for cooler evenings or breezier days, especially on the islands. Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended for sightseeing and visiting archaeological sites.
If you’re travelling in spring or autumn, it’s also worth packing a light waterproof layer in case of occasional showers.
Greece is 2 hours ahead of the UK.
The currency used in Greece is the euro (€).
In Greece, you’ll need a European two-pin plug adaptor for Type C or Type F sockets, which are the same as those used in much of mainland Europe. Greece uses 230V electricity, so UK travellers will usually only need the correct plug adaptor.
